Effect of salinity on growth and chemical constituents of Moringa oleifera Lam.

Moringa oleifera, Lam., commonly named horseradish or drumstick tree, is cultivated for multiple purposes because all its parts including seeds, stems, shoots, leaves, flowers, fruits and roots are useful. The objective of this study was to evaluate salt tolerance of Moringa oleifera during its early growth stage. A pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse during two successive seasons 2005/2006 and 2006/2007; at the Nubaria Research and Production Station. Equal amounts of sodium chloride and calcium chloride (w: w, 1:1) were mixed with sandy loam soil at six rates: 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 %. Forty - day - old seedlings were planted and kept to grow for 18 months until recording the data. Young Moringa trees were affected by soil salinity at relatively high levels. Low salt concentrations slightly reduced growth, whereas increasing salinity decreased plant height, stem diameter, branch number, leaf number, and root length. High salinity had a detrimental effect on shoot and root dry weights, and pigment contents. Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium contents in all plant parts were greatly reduced under high salinity levels. Sodium content increased with increasing salinity and showed a higher accumulation in roots.